Recording: Officer Wellness During Crisis Events: Resources, Tools, and Strategies

Description: Law enforcement was a stressful and demanding profession before COVID-19; and despite the unprecedented challenges we now face, our nation’s heroes continue to perform heroically every day serving the greater good and protecting our communities. In this online forum, we’ll review and discuss resources, tools, and strategies for prioritizing officer wellness during this time of crisis, with a focus on mitigating the stress and anxiety of working during the pandemic, strengthening resilience, and understanding the role of law enforcement chaplains and the ICPC.

Disclaimer: The materials provided in this webinar are for general informational and educational purposes only. The materials are not intended to be and should not be considered legal advice or opinion. Please seek legal counsel before acting on the topics discussed. The materials are not intended to be and should not be considered a substitute for clinical diagnosis or professional medical advice or opinion. Please consult with your physician, therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider before acting on the topics discussed.





About David Black

David Black, Ph.D. is the CEO of Cordico, serving hundreds of public safety agencies nationally. Dr. Black is a Board Member of the National Sheriffs’ Association Psychological Services Group, serves as the Chair of Technology and Social Media, is an Advisory Board Member for the National Police Foundation’s Center for Mass Violence Response Studies, serves on the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Police Psychological Services Ethics Committee, serves on the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Officer Wellness Committee, serves on the California Police Chiefs’ Association Human Behind the Badge Committee, is an Officer Wellness subject matter expert for the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST), and earlier served on IACP Police Psychological Services committees tasked with updating the standards for fitness-for-duty examinations and officer-involved shootings. Cordico is partnered with the California State Firefighters’ Association (CSFA) to strengthen firefighter mental health and well-being. Dr. Black has been serving first responders since 2002.





About Chaplain Jim Bontrager

Jim has been married to his wife Susie for 32 years and is the father of 9 children aged 13 to 30.  A U.S. Marine, he currently serves as full time Senior Chaplain with the Elkhart Police Department in Elkhart, Indiana, and holds his Master Chaplain credentials with the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC).

Jim is a recipient of the 2012 Wilbert A. Cunningham Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, a 2013 Excellence in Leadership Award from Pointman Leadership Institute, the 2016 recipient of the Richard S. Kassel Award, the 2017 Pilsung Warrior Award,and  a 2018 recipient of the John A. Price Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement Chaplaincy (ICPC’s highest Lifetime Achievement Award). Jim was appointed a Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Governor Mike Pence in 2015.

He serves as a National Board Member of the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers- USA as well as the Indiana State Representative for the ICPC. He is author of the official law enforcement curriculum for the movie Courageous, and founder/ director of Warrior on the Wall which works to address law enforcement suicide, family breakdown, and the unique emotional/ spiritual challenges to the profession.